If You Get Sick While Working

In the Netherlands, your rights as an employee are protected by law, even during illness. If you become sick and cannot work:

You must report your illness to your employer immediately (usually by phone, on the first day).
Your employer may involve a company doctor (bedrijfsarts) to assess your situation.
You cannot be fired just because you are sick.

Payment during illness:

In most cases, you receive at least 70% of your salary for up to 2 years.
Some employers (or collective agreements) pay 100% for a period.
If you work via an agency, check the contract. Payments may be lower or stop earlier.

Long-Term Illness

If you’re sick for more than a few weeks, your employer must help create a reintegration plan (re-integratieplan).
You may be offered lighter work or fewer hours to help you return gradually.

After 2 years, the employer can stop your contract. In that case, you may be eligible for WIA benefits (disability support).

If You Get Dismissed (Fired)

You cannot simply be fired without reason. In the Netherlands, dismissal must follow strict legal procedures.

Legal reasons for dismissal include:

Poor performance (after warnings and improvement plans)
Reorganization or cost-cutting
Misconduct (e.g. theft, violence)

Your employer must:

Give you a valid reason
Follow notice periods (1–2 months depending on your contract)
Request permission from the court or labor office (UWV) in most cases

Severance and Unemployment

If you are dismissed, you may be entitled to:

Transition compensation (financial payment from employer)
Unemployment benefit (WW-uitkering) — only if you worked at least 26 weeks in the last 36 weeks

Apply for unemployment at uwv.nl immediately after dismissal. Don’t wait too long!

Final Tip

Never sign a termination agreement (beëindigingsovereenkomst) without reading it carefully. You have the right to ask for help from a legal advisor or workers’ rights organization.